The arrival of frigid temperatures and heavy snow in recent days has contributed to a spate of deaths of homeless people in Anchorage, Alaska, adding to a toll that had already left political leaders scrambling for new solutions.
One woman died when fire consumed her makeshift shelter in the woods.
A running tally of homeless deaths kept by the city’s largest newspaper, The Anchorage Daily News, is now up to 49 — more than double last year’s toll.
“It is fairly depressing, just unimaginable, the number of deaths we have been having,” said Felix Rivera, a member of the Anchorage Assembly who leads the Housing and Homelessness Committee.
The harsh winters in Alaska have long brought dangers for those sleeping outside.
Persons:
”, Felix Rivera
Organizations:
Anchorage Daily, Housing, Homelessness Committee
Locations:
Anchorage , Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska